[dori36]

Originally Posted by michmoldman

yes, but then again, fast talking Bernaro may look like a fast talking car saleman. If Snyder plays it cool, hell be fine. If he sticks to what he has been doing, people will relate to him as a real person and not just a politician. Bernaro is gonna have a hard time keeping himself from looking like someone the people are fed up with.
But again...for some reason I do like him second best.

To me, Bernero's "tough guy" persona makes him look like someone with the "little man" syndrome. Napoleonic, to say the least. He needs to close his flapping mouth and listen. Not likely, imo. Go Snyder!

[michigan83]

Originally Posted by magellan

Whoa, Bernero aligning himself with UAW President Bob King to stage the "comeback" of organized labor?? He's a sitting duck now.

UAW president finds perfect candidate in Virg Bernero | MLive.com

That's all I need to see. I wouldn't touch Bernero with a 10-foot pole!

In order to truly turn things around, we need to become more attractive than most states as a place to do business. Right now we are near the bottom of that list. Electing someone like Bernero will, at the very best, improve our business climate slightly and put us in the middle of the pack. That's not good enough. IMO, the only way to have a major turnaround is to make some drastic changes and become a very attractive place to do business relative to other states. Snyder gives us some hope of making that happen. Bernero does not.

Originally Posted by flyingwriter

I can't stand Republicans, but I like Rick Snyder. Snyder brings a lot of fresh ideas to the table, and he's a moderate, not a conservative, which is good. I really like Bernero as well, I think he has a lot of good ideas to help improve the economy and education.

Snyder is a conservative. Just not a social conservative. A lot of people think "conservative" only means pro-life, pro-military, anti-gay marriage, anti-stem cell research, anti-illegal immigration, etc. You (and millions of others) are thinking of a social conservative. Snyder is conservative on issues that are actually important in Michigan's current situation; he's for smaller government, friendly business taxes, and less wasteful spending. He's a fiscal conservative.

Unfortunately in the U.S., our two party system leaves us with two extremes. We can usually vote for someone who's liberal on everything or conservative on everything, with nothing in between. A lot of people who think that they don't like "conservatives" don't even understand what conservatism is beyond the social issues. For example, George W. Bush was a social conservative, but he and his congress spent money like it was his job. He was not a fiscal conservative. He was like a combination of all the worst attributes from both parties... socially conservative and fiscally liberal. But people think George Bush = conservative. Not entirely true.

IMO, it doesn't really matter what our governor thinks about social issues. A state governor isn't going to have much impact on those things anyway.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by michigan83

That's all I need to see. I wouldn't touch Bernero with a 10-foot pole!

In order to truly turn things around, we need to become more attractive than most states as a place to do business. Right now we are near the bottom of that list. Electing someone like Bernero will, at the very best, improve our business climate slightly and put us in the middle of the pack. That's not good enough. IMO, the only way to have a major turnaround is to make some drastic changes and become a very attractive place to do business relative to other states. Snyder gives us some hope of making that happen. Bernero does not.



Snyder is a conservative. Just not a social conservative. A lot of people think "conservative" only means pro-life, pro-military, anti-gay marriage, anti-stem cell research, anti-illegal immigration, etc. You (and millions of others) are thinking of a social conservative. Snyder is conservative on issues that are actually important in Michigan's current situation; he's for smaller government, friendly business taxes, and less wasteful spending. He's a fiscal conservative.

Unfortunately in the U.S., our two party system leaves us with two extremes. We can usually vote for someone who's liberal on everything or conservative on everything, with nothing in between. A lot of people who think that they don't like "conservatives" don't even understand what conservatism is beyond the social issues. For example, George W. Bush was a social conservative, but he and his congress spent money like it was his job. He was not a fiscal conservative. He was like a combination of all the worst attributes from both parties... socially conservative and fiscally liberal. But people think George Bush = conservative. Not entirely true.

IMO, it doesn't really matter what our governor thinks about social issues. A state governor isn't going to have much impact on those things anyway.

I can't believe Bernero wouldn't take a more centrist platform. The UAW in Michigan has dwindled to about a 1/4 of the membership it had just 10 years ago. And I would bet a lot of those autoworkers took their buyouts and left for greener pastures (other states).

So who exactly is he looking to appeal to? I know a lot of "progressive" Democrats who aren't fans of the UAW, but are fans of bringing job growth back to the State.

Does he really think there are enough voters in Michigan who blame our current economic woes on "globalization" and corporate greed (looking anti-business)? Or are most Michiganians in favor of looking "business friendly?"

[michmoldman]

Originally Posted by magellan

I can't believe Bernero wouldn't take a more centrist platform. The UAW in Michigan has dwindled to about a 1/4 of the membership it had just 10 years ago. And I would bet a lot of those autoworkers took their buyouts and left for greener pastures (other states).

So who exactly is he looking to appeal to? I know a lot of "progressive" Democrats who aren't fans of the UAW, but are fans of bringing job growth back to the State.

Does he really think there are enough voters in Michigan who blame our current economic woes on "globalization" and corporate greed (looking anti-business)? Or are most Michiganians in favor of looking "business friendly?"

Bad move on his part. If you ask me it sealed his fate. What was to be a close race, will now be a lopsided win for Rick.

[Bhaalspawn]

Originally Posted by michigan83

That's all I need to see. I wouldn't touch Bernero with a 10-foot pole!

In order to truly turn things around, we need to become more attractive than most states as a place to do business. Right now we are near the bottom of that list. Electing someone like Bernero will, at the very best, improve our business climate slightly and put us in the middle of the pack. That's not good enough. IMO, the only way to have a major turnaround is to make some drastic changes and become a very attractive place to do business relative to other states. Snyder gives us some hope of making that happen. Bernero does not.

This pretty much mirrors my thoughts. We are in a race to the bottom with the other 50 states. We at least need to reform the business tax and improve the business environment. Heavy-duty labor laws are not going to help in those regards.

[JazzyTallGuy]

If Snyder is pro-choice, doesn't give a damn about gay marriage and doesn't align himself too strongly with the Teal Party of other radical conservatives then he'll get my vote.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by JazzyTallGuy

If Snyder is pro-choice, doesn't give a damn about gay marriage and doesn't align himself too strongly with the Teal Party of other radical conservatives then he'll get my vote.

He's pro-life, although not pro-life enough to get the endorsement from the Michigan Right to Life group. He also believes that marriage is a "sacred bond between a man and a woman," but supports same sex civil unions.

So he's either squirrely on these issues or doesn't tow the party line.

[michmoldman]

He has said many times his main goal is to get Michigans economy going via small business. This is a huge priority, as it is the small business that rules most of the time. He is focused on this issue and creating jobs, and allthough important...those moral issues are just not as important as getting Michigan going again.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by michmoldman

He has said many times his main goal is to get Michigans economy going via small business. This is a huge priority, as it is the small business that rules most of the time. He is focused on this issue and creating jobs, and allthough important...those moral issues are just not as important as getting Michigan going again.

I tend to agree michmoldman, but I would guarantee that whoever is voted in as governor, the issue of same sex marriage in Michigan will come up during his tenure, most likely in 2012 (apparently):

Same-sex marriage advocates call for 2012 equality push « Michigan Messenger (http://michiganmessenger.com/19801/same-sex-marriage-advocates-call-for-2012-equality-push - broken link)

[michmoldman]

Originally Posted by magellan

I tend to agree michmoldman, but I would guarantee that whoever is voted in as governor, the issue of same sex marriage in Michigan will come up during his tenure, most likely in 2012 (apparently):

Same-sex marriage advocates call for 2012 equality push « Michigan Messenger (http://michiganmessenger.com/19801/same-sex-marriage-advocates-call-for-2012-equality-push - broken link)

I think if he could say this..he would...who cares! Its an issue he, nor anyone else has control of, and will never go away no matter what side your on. I for one could care less.